Oxford Cultural Leaders 2018 applications now open

Oxford University Museums

12 December 2017

Oxford University Museums, in partnership with colleagues from the Saïd Business School, are delighted to announce that the highly successful residential leadership programme, Oxford Cultural Leaders, will be running again from 18-23 March 2018.

‘Leaders in the cultural sector need to develop the confidence to think about their organisations as sustainable entities. This requires new skills and approaches – some learned from different sectors and disciplines. The Oxford Cultural Leaders Programme in my view provides a powerful platform for the development of this shared future.’ Tracey Camilleri, Director, Oxford Strategic Leadership Programme, Saïd Business School.

The application portal for this year's programme is now open and will close at 5pm on 5 January 2018.

The programme is designed to enable cultural leaders to develop entrepreneurial ways of thinking and behaving. Having access to expertise from across the cultural and business sectors has led to the development of a unique programme within the museum and cultural sectors internationally. Oxford Cultural Leaders was held for the first time in March 2015 and then again in 2016 and 2017, successfully bringing together dynamic leaders together in an environment which encourages experimentation and innovation.

‘The whole experience had an impact on me; it was intensive from first thing in the morning until the last thing at night. The diverse cohort facilitated learning from the experiences of others, which was affirmed by leading practitioners who’s vigorous sessions got you to think differently.’ Alistair Burtenshaw, Director, The Watts Gallery

‘What surprised me most was the programme's ability to suspend the participants’ status issues and positioning and create a trusting, open, generous and sharing environment between us. It allowed us to work really well together, and this did generate some incredible moments of co-creation.’ Anette Østerby, Head of Visual Arts, Danish Arts Council

The programme faculty comprises of cultural sector leaders and business school experts including;

Pegram Harrison, Fellow in Entrepreneurship, Saïd Business School, University of Oxford

Diane Lees, Director General, Imperial War Museums

Robert Poynton, Associate Fellow, Saïd Business School, University of Oxford

Keith Ruddle, Associate Fellow, Saïd Business School, University of Oxford

Michael Smets, Associate Professor, Saïd Business School, University of Oxford

Paul Smith, Director, Museum of Natural History

Carole Souter, Master, St Cross, University of Oxford, and former Chief Executive, National Heritage Memorial Fund and Heritage Lottery Fund

Xa Sturgis, Director, Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology

Anne Trefethen, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Gardens, Libraries and Museums, University of Oxford

Laura Van Broekhoven, Director, Pitt Rivers Museum

Yolanda Vasquez, Actor and Tutor, Olivier Mythodrama

Oxford Cultural Leaders is for dynamic and reflective directors and deputy directors, heads of department, and senior managers who want to challenge and redefine their identity as a leader and their vision for their organisation at a time of great challenge and complexity for the cultural sector.

Recruitment will be through a competitive application process, with a panel of faculty members carefully considering what the applicant can contribute to the programme, as sharing knowledge and expertise, and providing peer consultancy and support is core to the programme’s success.

Participants will be staying at Corpus Christi College in the heart of Oxford, a beautiful, peaceful and historic setting, which is close to the museums, cultural venues and university buildings that we use to deliver the teaching, workshop and social elements of the programme.

The deadline for applications is 5pm on 5 January 2018.

Participants (both Home/EU and International) will be asked to contribute a fee of £2,650.